In business, change isn’t optional—it’s inevitable. The question isn’t if change will come, but whether you’ll be prepared to navigate it.

In this month’s C12 curriculum, we’re reminded that lasting businesses aren’t built on shifting sand like trends or quick fixes, but on solid foundations. For Christian leaders, that means rooting decisions in clarity—mission, vision, and values (MVVs)—and seeking wise counsel from mentors and peers.

Let’s apply that to the insurance industry, where change often feels like the only constant.

Why Strategic Planning Matters More Than Ever

Many agencies are busy but lack true strategic clarity. They budget and set goals but don’t always have a forward-looking plan that defines:

• Where the agency is headed
• How it will get there
• What advantages it will leverage to grow

Without a clear plan, agencies end up reacting to market changes instead of leading with confidence.

Examples of Change Insurance Agencies Face

1. Changing Agency Management Systems (AMS):

Switching to a new AMS is one of the biggest transitions an agency can make. It impacts workflows, customer service, and profitability. Without a clear mission and vision guiding the decision, it’s easy to chase features instead of strategy. Agencies with strong MVVs ask: Does this system support our mission to streamline service? Does it align with our vision of being the most client-friendly agency in town?

2. Adding New Marketing Strategies:

Digital marketing, social media, and SEO aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore—they’re essential. But adding a new marketing channel without clarity often leads to wasted dollars. For example, before starting a PPC campaign, an agency should ask: Does this move us toward our three-year vision of doubling personal lines clients?

3. Recruiting and Developing Talent:

When adding producers or CSRs, agencies with clear values know what cultural attributes matter most. If “trust and service” are core values, then hiring decisions must reflect them—even if it means turning down a technically skilled candidate who doesn’t share those priorities.

The Role of Mentorship

The devotional section this month emphasizes the importance of mentors—wise builders who help us strengthen our foundation before storms arrive. For agency owners, this might look like:

• Seeking counsel from a seasoned agent who has navigated system transitions successfully.
• Asking a marketing mentor to review your strategy before you invest heavily.
• Inviting a trusted peer to sit in on strategic planning sessions for accountability.

These mentors act like structural engineers—helping you ensure the foundation is sound before you add the weight of new initiatives.

Practical Next Steps for Agencies

1. Clarify your MVVs. Write them down, and test whether your team can repeat them from memory.
2. Review recent changes. Did your last tech or marketing decision align with your mission and vision?
3. Plan ahead. Don’t just budget—define a three-to-five-year picture of what God-honoring success looks like for your agency.
4. Engage mentors. Identify one person this month who can give you outside perspective on a key decision.

Final Word

Strategic planning isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about building an agency that lasts. As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Whether you’re switching to a new AMS, launching a fresh marketing strategy, or bringing on new producers, your foundation—mission, vision, and values—will determine if those changes strengthen your agency or simply add stress.

Now is the time to look inward, clarify your foundation, and move forward with confidence.

Want to Learn More About C12?

Much of the insight in this blog comes from my time in C12, a community of Christian CEOs and business owners who meet monthly to encourage, challenge, and sharpen one another in both business and faith.

If you’re curious about how C12 could help you strengthen your agency’s foundation and connect with like-minded leaders, I’d be glad to share more about my experience—or you can learn directly at joinc12.com.

Running a successful insurance agency requires more than just great customer service; it demands operational efficiency. The software you use every day is the engine that powers your agency. An outdated or disconnected software stack can lead to wasted time, frustrated staff, and missed opportunities. Auditing your current software is the first step toward building a more streamlined, productive, and profitable agency. By evaluating your tools, you can identify bottlenecks, eliminate redundant systems, and ensure your technology supports your team’s efforts to grow the business and serve policyholders.

Understanding Your Core Systems: CRM, AMS, and Raters

The foundation of any modern insurance agency management software stack consists of a few key components. Your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system helps manage client interactions and track leads. Your Agency Management System (AMS) is the central hub for policy information, client data, and daily operations. A quoting or rating engine (Rater) is essential for quickly generating quotes from multiple carriers. Each of these tools plays a vital role. An effective audit starts by asking how well they work together. If your team is manually entering the same data into your rater, CRM, and AMS, you are losing valuable time and increasing the risk of errors. A truly efficient stack allows for seamless data flow between these core systems.

The Power of Integrated Tools

The real magic happens when your software tools communicate with each other. This is where integrations like JenesisLink and modern features like JenesisNow become game-changers. JenesisLink bridges the gap between your AMS and your quoting software, allowing you to transfer data with a single click. This eliminates the need for double data entry, saving significant time on each policy you quote. Similarly, JenesisNow provides a powerful client portal, giving your customers 24/7 access to their policy documents, ID cards, and the ability to make service requests online. This self-service option frees up your team from handling routine administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on revenue-generating activities and building stronger client relationships. Integrating these tools transforms your software from a simple record-keeper into a dynamic, efficiency-boosting asset.

Evaluating for Scalability and Future Growth

An effective software audit looks beyond your current needs. As your agency grows, will your software be able to keep up? Scalability is a critical factor to consider. Your AMS should be able to handle an increasing number of clients, policies, and users without slowing down. It’s also important to consider the provider’s commitment to innovation. Are they regularly updating the software and adding new features that align with industry trends? Choosing a web-based system ensures your team can access it from anywhere, providing flexibility for remote work and future expansion. Planning for scalability now ensures your technology will support your agency’s long-term success, not hold it back.

Streamline Your Stack for Lasting Success

Taking the time to audit your insurance software stack is an investment in your agency’s future. By ensuring your core systems are integrated, leveraging powerful tools that automate tasks, and planning for future growth, you can create a streamlined and highly efficient operation. A well-chosen software partner empowers your team to work smarter, not harder. This leads to increased productivity, improved employee morale, and a better experience for your valued policyholders, setting the stage for sustainable success.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Agency Management Software

What is the most important feature in an insurance agency management software?

While many features are valuable, the most important one is often seamless integration. An AMS that integrates with other essential tools, like rating software and client portals, creates a unified ecosystem for your agency. This eliminates double data entry, which is a major source of inefficiency and errors. When your systems can share information automatically, your staff saves time on every single client interaction. This allows them to focus more on advising clients and growing the business instead of getting bogged down in administrative tasks. Therefore, when evaluating an AMS, look closely at its ability to connect with the other software you use daily.

How can a new AMS improve my agency’s relationship with clients?

A modern AMS can significantly enhance client relationships by improving communication and service. Features like a client portal (such as JenesisNow) provide customers with 24/7 self-service access to their policy information, documents, and ID cards. This convenience shows that you value their time. Furthermore, an efficient AMS frees up your staff from tedious data entry, giving them more time to have meaningful conversations with clients, review their coverage, and provide proactive advice. When your team is less stressed by administrative burdens, they can deliver a higher level of personalized service, which builds trust and strengthens loyalty.

At Jenesis Software, we are dedicated to helping independent insurance agencies thrive with user-friendly, web-based management software. Our system is designed to increase your efficiency and help you build strong, lasting relationships with your policyholders. Learn more and discover how we can support your agency’s success.

At Jenesis, we read The 80/20 Principle in our book club a few years ago. I’ll admit—I don’t remember the author’s name off the top of my head—but the idea has stuck with me ever since.

This blog is mostly based on a YouVersion Bible study plan I read recently. I think you’ll find the connection encouraging, whether you’re looking at your faith, your business, or both.

The 80/20 Rule, also called the Pareto Principle, says that 80% of your results usually come from just 20% of your efforts. That’s a simple statement, but when you let it sink in, it changes how you look at your business.

Jesus gave us a picture of this in Matthew 13:23 when He explained the parable of the sower:

“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

That’s not an even return—that’s multiplication. That’s the power of focus.

What This Means for Insurance Agencies

1. Identify Your “Good Soil.”

Every agency has certain customers, tasks, or strategies that produce the greatest results. Maybe it’s the top 20% of clients who drive most of your revenue. Maybe it’s the two or three marketing strategies that actually generate new leads consistently. The key is to recognize where your “good soil” is and invest your energy there.

2. Focused Effort Produces Exponential Returns.

You don’t have to do everything. In fact, trying to do it all can spread you thin. When you lean into the areas that matter most, you’ll find that even small, consistent effort produces an outsized harvest.

3. Stewardship Matters.

God calls us to be wise stewards of what He’s given us. That applies to your time, energy, and money in business. The 80/20 principle reminds us that not every task has equal weight. Some things truly move the needle, others just keep you busy.

4. Keep Refining.

The 20% may not stay the same forever. As your agency grows, your “good soil” may shift. Just like a farmer studies his land, you need to keep asking: Where is the highest return on my time and resources today?

How Jenesis Applies the 80/20

At Jenesis, we’ve learned that trying to be everything to everyone isn’t sustainable. Instead, we’ve focused on building tools and services—like JenesisNow, JenesisReach, and JenesisLink—that create the greatest impact for independent agencies. By focusing on those high-impact areas, we’ve been able to serve agencies better and multiply results.

The same can be true for your agency. If you focus on the right clients, the right strategies, and the right systems, your growth can be more than linear—it can be exponential.

Encouragement for the Journey

Craig Groeschel often says, “Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally.” That’s a perfect picture of the 80/20 rule in action. It’s not about working harder on everything—it’s about working consistently on the right things.

So here’s my challenge to you: This week, take 15 minutes to write down what you believe your 20% is. Then, commit to leaning in harder there. You may be surprised at how much more fruit your agency produces when you’re sowing into good soil.